Economic Offences Wing (EOW) officials have confirmed that the multi-crore South Indian Education Society (SIES) cash-credit scam is not prime accused Mohammed Fasiuddin's first brush with the law. Fasiuddin, who owns the Showman group and the Sheesha Sky Lounge in Andheri, was also arrested in 2001 by the crime branch in connection with an alleged case of human trafficking.
Officials who are privy to the investigation said that Fasiuddin had been arrested by the crime branch in 2001 while he was going through immigration at Mumbai's international airport. The police had seized his laptop along with other luggage. "Several photographs of young girls were found on the laptop. While we were interrogating Fasiuddin in the SIES scam, we checked our old records which showed that he was arrested in 2001 for human trafficking," said an EOW officer on condition of anonymity.
Fasiuddin told the investigators that he was born in Hyderabad, and after his schooling moved to Saudi Arabia with his father. He even claimed that he had attended the prestigious London School of Economics from where he completed his graduation, said EOW officials. In his statement to the police, he said that he had three sisters, all of whom are based in Hyderabad. After coming to Mumbai, Fasiuddin tried his luck with movies as a producer but after failing miserably, started a real estate business before venturing into the hotel industry. "We are verifying the claims made by Fasiuddin as he keeps on changing his statements. However, during the course of the investigation, we could figure out that the Rs 5.5 crore that he swindled from the SIES account was invested in a famous company that deals in films," said an officer.
The cash-credit scam came to light when officials of the Bank of India (Taloja branch) got in touch with the SIES to confirm if the trust had asked for a cash-credit. SIES office bearers were informed by the bank that Rs 5.52 crore had already been withdrawn using the cash-credit facility. It was then that SIES officials checked with other banks to find out that a huge amount of money had been siphoned off. Following this, a case was registered and EOW started investigations, arresting Fasiuddin, and two more people called Anil Pawar and Roy Joseph for their alleged role in the case.
Scams, lies and sleaze
Why was Fasiuddin arrested in 2011?
Fasiuddin was arrested in 2001 while he was going through immigration at the international airport. Along with his luggage, the police had seized his laptopm on which they found several photographs of young girls, after which he was arrested for alleged human trafficking.
What happened to Rs 5.52 cr he swindled from SIES accounts?
EOW officials believe this money was invested in a famous company that deals in films
What has he told the investigators?
Fasiuddin has claimed that he had attended the prestigious London School of Economics from where he completed his graduation. In his statement to the police, he said that after coming to Mumbai, he tried his luck as a producer but after failing miserably, started a real estate business before venturing into the hotel industry. EOW officials are verifying this since he changes his statements frequently.
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